You already know everything you need to know.
You learned it in your first year of school. Seriously.
There are people who will try to convince you that you need more theory or more information or to memorize this text or that but they are full of it. They are trying to sell you something.
School didn't fail you.
Well, that's not true, they totally failed you with regard to acupuncture if they didn't teach orthopedics, Dr. Tan or Master Tung.
But I digress. You have all the theory you need to be a totally kick-ass practitioner the only thing you don't have is the proper organization. You don't have a system. The methods you were taught for herbal medicine diagnosis and prescription in school is the problem. You memorized the herbs, the formulas to a high degree but the system of diagnosis and treatment don't represent the reality of 21st century western civilization.
This is what TCM Hub offers- a reprieve from trying to cram your patients into the framework of Han Dynasty subsistence farmers. We view modern patients from with a "modern" framework. Ironically, "modern" patients have more in common with Song-Yin-Yuan dynasty aristocrats than with Han dynasty farmers. We adapt the entirety of the Chinese medicine canon (including so-called Maoist medicine) to modern clinical reality. We don't believe in golden age thinking. If it works for real, we use it and we teach it.
What's your point, Michael?
You don't actually need more information, more treatments, more modalities like functional medicine, essential oils, nutritional training, etc...
You just need Chinese medicine and a willingness to admit that you can't cure everything and the humility to refer when needed.
If this sounds good, we can make you the best goddamn Chinese medicine physician you can possibly be without all the ego bullshit.
I'm grumpy but hopeful.
Here's a snippet from the workshop I held last weekend at the Successful Practice Summit.
The difference between Burnout vs. Overwhelm and why it's important to distinguish the two.
Setting Patient Expectations: Menstrual Disorders
I'm enjoying making these little videos and I hope they are helpful to you in your clinics. Today I thought it would be fun to take a case and show how I set expectations with the patient involving 2 menstrual complaints along with several other additional complaints. To be fair, there are some things that can't be taught in school but even in our time in clinic at school, the teachers never did what I do in this video. I suspect they simply didn't have the experience and/or confidence to put themselves out there. Understand that setting expectations is not giving guarantees, it's creating confidence in you as a practitioner in the eyes of your patients. Here's another thing, it's ok to screw up and to be wrong. There's no way around that except through so get over that shit right away. Borrow from your mentors until you get the wins under your belt.
Things I Wish They Taught in TCM School: Part One
Setting Patient Expectations
I am doing a small series addressing some things that I wish I knew as a new practitioner and hoping that the advice I offer will save some time and suffering for any 1st and 2nd year practitioners to help build your confidence with your patients.
I hope this resonates with you.
All posts, new content and case help is over on the new platform. We will no longer be responding to posts here.
Join us at https://hubcommunity.circle.so
Here is a walkthrough of the new platform for you to check out. See you inside!
https://vimeo.com/778982950/7af071b62d
@chrisvolesky
Hello
I would appreciate some input in approaching this patient.
Male 58 years old, with the diagnosis of type 2 Diabetes mellitus, diagnosed 15 years ago and over the course of his condition he developed diabetic retinopathy for what he is getting local injections; also developed bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and according to his physician due to of that, atrophy of the left thenar eminence.
His main complains when he came to our office were lack of endurance on his lower extremities, very weak knees and legs preventing him from doing much of his regular and normal activities and needing to walk with a cane; very poor balance and a marked, recalcitrant bilateral pitting edema from his ankles up to mid legs. Also, a weak lower back that feels sore and cold, sometimes liking urine and low libido, no drive at all.
During his visits he has always denied any digestive issues, but a mild constipation with most BM daily, but sometimes every other day, with no changes in the ...
@Michael_Peluso @chrisvolesky
Please can I have some help with this case.
Gentleman has been suffering anal pain since a haemorroidectomy 2 years ago. Pain is like a migraine (intense ache & heaviness) that is worse for passing a stool, sitting, standing, through the day.
There is also a constant feeling of heat and tenesmus (feeling of needing to pass a stool). These are not pleasant but can handle compared to the pain. He has had physiology testing which shows all functioning. Coccyx and ganglion nerve blocks had no effect.
He has had two previous heart attacks and is on medication for these. (Ace inhibitor, beta blocker, statin & aspirin)
Pulse is wiry with irregular irregular beat.
He is very cold … included hand photo. He has no spider veins in the sacral area or on the back/ BL40 area. Only around ankles .. photos included.
I have treated with acupuncture, no bleeding, with no change in 4 weeks.
Can you help with herbal suggestions?
Thanks
